When we think of the war in Ukraine, we think of drones, front lines and diplomacy – but not clubs. Ukrainian DJ Katia Curie on Kiev’s underground scene as a place of resistance, community and freedom. Also: a voice message from Sofia about Bulgaria’s new strongman Rumen Radev – and the question of whether he will be the next Viktor Orbán.
How are things going in the fourth year of the war? What are the days like in Kiev when the nighttime curfew means parties are only possible during the day? And what do clubs like K41 – the “Berghain of Kiev” – mean for young people who defend a spark of normality, freedom and European identity between air raids and collective trauma?
In this episode, Thomas Seifert talks to the Ukrainian DJ Katia Curie. Born in Kiev, she now lives in Vienna and regularly performs in her hometown – most recently at K41 and at a festival at Club Closer in Kiev. She talks about the tiredness after a hard winter and yet unbroken energy, about safe spaces for queer people and refugees from the occupied territories, about free entry for soldiers and about the “Fundraiser Jars” – those digital donation boxes through which clubbers directly support the Ukrainian army. Culture, it becomes clear in the conversation, is not a luxury in war. It is part of what this war is being fought for.
And one Voice message from Sofia: Angel Petrov, foreign affairs editor of the Bulgarian daily Dnevnik.bg, analyzes the recent parliamentary elections in Bulgaria – the eighth in just five years. For the first time in a long time there is an absolute majority again: former President Rumen Radev and his “Progressive Bulgaria” alliance have won. But Radev is considered Russia-friendly and Eurosceptic. Petrov sees parallels to Robert Fico in Slovakia and warns of new risks for democracy – even if Radev is likely to act more cautiously than his role model Viktor Orbán.
“East Side Stories – the podcast about politics and economics in Eastern Europe” from the “European Voices” team. Once a month, Martyna Czarnowska and Thomas Seifert talk about the most pressing issues and debates in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe. To do this, they invite a variety of guests to talk and each receive a voice message from a city in the region.
You can find out more about the current issue of the magazine “European Voices” and the order link at: europeanvoices.eu
What is East Side Stories?
The podcast on politics and economics in Eastern Europe from the “European Voices” team. Once a month, Martyna Czarnowska and Thomas Seifert talk about the most pressing issues and debates in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe. To do this, they invite a variety of guests to talk and each receive a voice message from a city in the region.
This podcast is supported by Erste Group and Vienna Insurance Group
Hosts: Martyna Czarnowska, Thomas Seifert
Editor: Anna Wallner, Christine Mayrhofer
Production: Georg Gferer/audio-funnel.com
Graphic: “The Press”/Hanseli
Photo: Jana Madzigon
